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The Mysterious Treasure of Jerry Lee Thorton
What does a guy do when his best friend starts doing things that are completely out of character? In the case of Luke McAllister, you can't do anything - until you figure out exactly what it is that is different. The fact that his best friend is a girl complicates matters a heap. Nothing makes sense when RaeNell Stephens, the girl that has "the best curve ball he's ever seen," starts blushing and acting like a durned female. All of this at the beginning of the summer to end all summers' too. This is the summer that Luke, RaeNell, and their friend Farley Midkiff set out to locate, and cash in on a rogue Civil War soldier's stolen one million dollar Union payroll. Undaunted by thousands of scholars and fortune seekers having looked unsuccessfully for the treasure for a hundred years, the three 12 year-old friends search diligently for themselves. What they find is an adventure - though maybe not what, or where, they expected!
154 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2013
169 people want to read
About the author
Mike Thomas
1 book17 followersBack in the summer of 1965 Mike read two books back-to-back that would change his life. The first was Diamonds Are Forever, and the second was Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
One, a hard-hitting, woman-loving story in the James Bond Series. The other, a whimsical story about a car that flies, floats and even thinks. Both were written by the late Ian Fleming.
Mike determined right then that if someone could tell such disparate tales, in essentially the same voice, then he wanted to do so too. He was in the fifth grade.
Since, Mike has traveled a meandering path, rambling around the world, while making a study of the human condition. His understanding of the southern traditions he writes about comes from wandering the valleys and rivers of the North Carolina foothills as a youngster. He was born in Mt. Airy in Surry County North Carolina, the real life model for the legendary 'Mayberry' of TV fame. He lived there, and in adjacent Yadkin County, during his school years. His deep abiding love of the south has indeed anchored him in his many travels.
Mike is a teacher as well as a Registered Nurse. He uses his varied background and experiences to draw the rich and eccentric characters he is becoming so well known for.
The Mysterious Treasure of Jerry Lee Thorton is Mike's first published novel but there are a bunch of stories sitting on the bench waiting for permission to play.
One, a hard-hitting, woman-loving story in the James Bond Series. The other, a whimsical story about a car that flies, floats and even thinks. Both were written by the late Ian Fleming.
Mike determined right then that if someone could tell such disparate tales, in essentially the same voice, then he wanted to do so too. He was in the fifth grade.
Since, Mike has traveled a meandering path, rambling around the world, while making a study of the human condition. His understanding of the southern traditions he writes about comes from wandering the valleys and rivers of the North Carolina foothills as a youngster. He was born in Mt. Airy in Surry County North Carolina, the real life model for the legendary 'Mayberry' of TV fame. He lived there, and in adjacent Yadkin County, during his school years. His deep abiding love of the south has indeed anchored him in his many travels.
Mike is a teacher as well as a Registered Nurse. He uses his varied background and experiences to draw the rich and eccentric characters he is becoming so well known for.
The Mysterious Treasure of Jerry Lee Thorton is Mike's first published novel but there are a bunch of stories sitting on the bench waiting for permission to play.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 17, 2013
Luke, RaeNell, and Farley are the best of friends in a much simpler time and place. When school ends and summer comes, the three decide to set off in search of the lost treasure of Jerry Lee Thorton. The treasure has been lost for a hundred years and many have searched for it but none have found it. The trio begins searching books in the library and come across a map of where the treasure is buried.
All the while RaeNell, the only girl in the group, suddenly begins acting like a girl after years of being one of the boys. When the going gets tough, RaeNell starts tearing up. When the gang is ready to give up Luke suddenly realizes where the map leads. The three set off on a crazy adventure and actually end up finding the treasure! The only problem is, the treasure isn't what they expected.
I enjoyed the simple story of the three best friends and it had a ring of truth to it. Luke was the strong one, both physically and mentally, RaeNell is the one with the book smarts, and Farley was sweet and willing to go along with anything. Their hunt for the treasure is like any child's treasure hunt, though the ending was much larger then most.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
All the while RaeNell, the only girl in the group, suddenly begins acting like a girl after years of being one of the boys. When the going gets tough, RaeNell starts tearing up. When the gang is ready to give up Luke suddenly realizes where the map leads. The three set off on a crazy adventure and actually end up finding the treasure! The only problem is, the treasure isn't what they expected.
I enjoyed the simple story of the three best friends and it had a ring of truth to it. Luke was the strong one, both physically and mentally, RaeNell is the one with the book smarts, and Farley was sweet and willing to go along with anything. Their hunt for the treasure is like any child's treasure hunt, though the ending was much larger then most.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
November 4, 2017
I enjoyed this short book. The book captures a phase of youth that I remember growing up with. Kids are meant to be outside playing with good friends and making adventures that last a life time. Anything is possible for a kid so every adventure is magical. Proves real life can be a good as any fantasy.
I received this book from the author who was a temporary neighbor of ours for a few months while we were staying at a North Carolina campground. I'm sending it to my granddaughter. I think she will enjoy it.\ and maybe will encourage her to adventure out.
I received this book from the author who was a temporary neighbor of ours for a few months while we were staying at a North Carolina campground. I'm sending it to my granddaughter. I think she will enjoy it.\ and maybe will encourage her to adventure out.
September 18, 2013
Three best friends go on an adventure in The Mysterious Treasure of Jerry Lee Thorton by Mike Thomas. Luke, Farley and RaeNell find out a lot about themselves in one summer. Luke wants to learn more about his father. Luke commits to his chores as well as being a good friend. Farley has to help with his many siblings but always makes time for his two best friends. RaeNell went away but returns for the summer a different person. RaeNell is not just one of the boys anymore since she is blossoming into a little woman. Luke is discovery a different side of RaeNell that he just cannot handle.
All three friends put on their thinking caps and start to research the rumors about a hidden treasure. They map out their journey, take the necessary tools and set out to find the treasure no one else has been able to locate. The adventure takes them on a rollercoaster and when they arrive at the end of the ride it is not want they expected.
I fell in love with The Mysterious Treasure of Jerry Lee Thorton with page one. This book was about friendship and trust that slipped in a little hint of history. The author does a wonderful job providing a coming of age book that young and old can relate to. The descriptions and dialogue brought me back to the Huckleberry Finn era. This book was well-written book, had well-developed characters, wonderful content and kept me turning the pages. I did not want the story of the three friends to end. I definitely recommend this book to others.
This book was provided by the author for review purposes.
Teresa Beasley
A&RBC Reviews
All three friends put on their thinking caps and start to research the rumors about a hidden treasure. They map out their journey, take the necessary tools and set out to find the treasure no one else has been able to locate. The adventure takes them on a rollercoaster and when they arrive at the end of the ride it is not want they expected.
I fell in love with The Mysterious Treasure of Jerry Lee Thorton with page one. This book was about friendship and trust that slipped in a little hint of history. The author does a wonderful job providing a coming of age book that young and old can relate to. The descriptions and dialogue brought me back to the Huckleberry Finn era. This book was well-written book, had well-developed characters, wonderful content and kept me turning the pages. I did not want the story of the three friends to end. I definitely recommend this book to others.
This book was provided by the author for review purposes.
Teresa Beasley
A&RBC Reviews
January 3, 2014
I won this book from Goodreads "First Read."
I really enjoyed this book although it was not at all what I expected. It begins as twelve year olds Luke, RaeNell, and Farley are searching for Civil War treasure. I have to admit that at first I didn't like Luke's character, as his home-town upbringing causes him to feel guilty because he is searching for an adventure. I'm from a small town myself, but I didn't seem to identify at all with Luke's dilema.
The plot, however, gets more intriguing as the story progresses, and by the end of the book, I was impressed with Luke's choices.
I would especially recommend this book for upper elementary and middle-school students.
I really enjoyed this book although it was not at all what I expected. It begins as twelve year olds Luke, RaeNell, and Farley are searching for Civil War treasure. I have to admit that at first I didn't like Luke's character, as his home-town upbringing causes him to feel guilty because he is searching for an adventure. I'm from a small town myself, but I didn't seem to identify at all with Luke's dilema.
The plot, however, gets more intriguing as the story progresses, and by the end of the book, I was impressed with Luke's choices.
I would especially recommend this book for upper elementary and middle-school students.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews